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The 24 Points Used in Neurological Dry Needling

By John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA)

Acupuncture has shown an incalculable number of developments, styles, and approaches. There are estimated to be in excess of 300 styles of acupuncture practiced around the world today. Today, the acupuncture profession in America and Europe is being directly challenged by the scientific community and a therapy known as "dry needling," which is practiced by medical physicians, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants and others.

The explanation is that it is not acupuncture, as the dogma surrounding the art does not enter into the equation. Instead, it is based upon contemporary knowledge of neurological anatomy and function. The only common denominator is the use of a needle to activate the neurological mechanism. Most practitioners use common filiform acupuncture needles, however, others use high-gauge hypodermic needles.

This procedure is a common style of acupuncture using a combination of ah shi points and specific key acupuncture points, all of which are described and referred to by a key point on a specific nerve that has control over a particular body part. They are not referred to by the typical acupuncture meridian numbering system but by the nerve itself, in addition to a new reference system unique to this practice. For example, the point known as "H9 Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous" is the same identical point an acupuncture practitioner would know as Qu Chi or LI 11.

From a medical perspective, acupuncture as it has been classically and generally applied, is now being re-examined and re-developed. I first heard of "scientific and neurological acupuncture" in the early 1970s after George Ulett, MD, PhD, received a National Institutes of Health research grant in 1972 (the first) to design a study to compare acupuncture and hypnosis. The conclusions were that acupuncture was not hypnosis but works through some neurophysiological mechanism.

Dry needling, or neurological acupuncture, utilizes just 24 specific points, along with points through the sympathetic trunk ganglia chain, which are made up of nerve fibers from the posterior primary rami of the spinal nerves. Acupuncture practitioners are familiar with these as the Hua Tuo Jia Ji points. The procedure also uses as previously mentioned, the ah shi points within the area of involvement. These are referred to as "symptomatic points." As this procedure becomes more popular and patients will approach you for your opinion, it is imperative you be aware of these 24 points, their names and corresponding acupoint name.

These points are referred to as the name of the nerve or by the "H" designation, which stands for "homeostatic." The actual numerical point name used by acupuncture practitioners are not used.

No practitioner will argue the merits of the above list of 24 points as being extremely significant. Now that it is associated with modern medical neurological explanations it is has become a medically acceptable practice. Dry needling is a procedure which is now established within the country and is growing in popularity amongst medical practitioners daily. I do not believe this procedure will threaten the integrity of those practicing acupuncture. However, acupuncture may be forced to re-examine its historical roots for no other reason than survival in a contemporary, medically aware society. Even though Damp Heat and Wind Cold will always be a viable factor for the traditional acupuncture provider, modern neurology is certainly altering the way many will perform acupuncture in the future.

If you would like an illustrated graphic of the points discussed in this article, please send your request to
dramaroiama.edu.

Click here for more information about John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA).

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